Songs Of The Sage

CURLEY W. FLETCHER

Publication: Frontier Publishing Company, 1931, Los Angeles

First edition. 12mo. INSCRIBED on half title "To Texas Ritter, the longhorn critter; Commissioner of sin, Though he may curse, he's read worse, May he find some joy herein. Curley W. Fletcher Hollywood, Calif. 11/23/1936.". Decorated flexible boards with a 3-color illustration in green of a cowboy tending cattle beneath a silver moon on tan upper board; spine and front cover titled in green, 74, [5] pp., foreword, wonderful sketches by Guy M. Welch. Curley Fletcher was a champion rodeo rider and prolific songwriter, now best remembered for "Strawberry Roan," (the first poem in 'Songs of the Sage') chosen by members of the Western Writers of America as one of the Top 100 Western songs of all time. Tex Ritter was a pioneer of American country music and actor; he is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. In addition to Ritter, Fletcher's songs have been recorded by a broad range of iconic singers - from Roy Rogers, Gene Autrey and Marty Robbins to Lacy J. Dalton and Michael Martin Murphey. Fletcher and Ritter were longtime friends and were even business partners in accumulating old mining claims.

Inventory Number: 50957